Canucks news: Late-bloomer Jalen Chatfield debuts, Jordie Benn sings the COVID-19 blues

Jordie Benn of the Vancouver Canucks digs in during a December 2019 practice at Rogers Arena. Photo by Jason Payne /Postmedia News Files Benn baffled by COVID-19

Jordie Benn is back and took the game-day skate Wednesday.

The veteran defenceman also took the option of going into detail about his 10-day absence after testing positive for COVID-19.

Benn didn’t practise Jan. 11, a day after the Canucks cancelled on- and off-ice training camp sessions, because of a potential exposure to the virus. He had tested positive after a false positive and was then declared a presumed positive. High-risk close contacts, like J.T. Miller, were expected to quarantine and the winger returned Monday in Calgary.

NHL players and staff are tested daily with the highly effective PCR procedure — polymerase chain reaction and antibody testing — and league protocol references a Centre for Disease Control seven-day test to speed up the return process.

Benn seemed baffled when asked to connect the virus dots from his family bubble to other possible contacts. How did he contract COVID-19?

“I have no idea — that’s about it,” he said. “The details of what happened are with me and my family and our doctors and I don’t really want to get into it.

“I didn’t have any symptoms at all. I felt good for the 10 days that I was in isolation and you see people who are in hospital and taking it a bit harder. It’s a weird virus. It’s just frustrating. You work hard all through camp and are ready to go and then this stuff starts.

“Ten days is a lot to be off the ice, but I feel good and hopefully it won’t take me too long, maybe just a couple of days. Maybe I’ll be back in tomorrow (Thursday) night.”